Hiring Process Hurdles

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2016 /CNW/ - What's the hardest part of the hiring process? According to research by staffing firm The Creative Group, generating interest from qualified candidates is the biggest obstacle for 31 per cent of advertising and marketing executives. Another 28 per cent said developing compensation packages and negotiating salaries is their greatest challenge.

Presenting a competitive job offer is crucial for sealing the deal with top applicants. When asked to name the most common reason candidates decide not to join their company, 27 per cent of executives surveyed said it's because their compensation and benefits are lower than expected.

"With creative talent in high demand, hiring remains a challenge. Businesses need to be prepared with compensation packages that are commensurate with the value of candidates' skillsets, experience and fit," said Deborah Bottineau, senior regional manager of The Creative Group. "Coming to the table with a strong offer helps prevent a drawn-out negotiation process, minimizing the risk of losing candidates to competing offers."

Advertising and marketing executives were asked, "Which one of the following aspects of the hiring process do you find the most difficult?" Their responses:

Generating interest from qualified candidates

31%

Developing compensation packages and negotiating salaries

28%

Reviewing application materials

14%

Creating job descriptions

13%

Asking the right interview questions

10%

Don't know

3%

99%*

Executives were also asked, "Which one of the following is the most common reason candidates turn down a job offer from your company?" Their responses:

Accepted another job offer or counteroffer

35%

Compensation and benefits are lower than expected

27%

Limited opportunities for career growth or advancement

17%

Poor fit with the job description

9%

Limited employee perks

7%

Poor fit with the corporate culture

3%

Not applicable

1%

99%*

*Responses do not total 100 per cent due to rounding.

According to the newly released Salary Guide from The Creative Group, starting compensation for creative professionals in Canada is expected to increase 3.1 per cent in 2017. In-demand positions, such as user experience and mobile designers, are likely to see even bigger gains. "Conducting regular research on local hiring trends and salary benchmarks is essential for developing competitive compensation and benefits packages, and ultimately, for attracting and retaining skilled professionals," added Bottineau.

More information about the hiring process and compensation trends, including salary data for more than 100 positions in the creative field, can be found in The Creative Group 2017 Salary Guide, available at roberthalf.ca/en/workplace-research/salary-guides.

About the Research

The survey was developed by The Creative Group and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from 400 advertising and marketing executives.

About The Creative GroupThe Creative Group (TCG) specializes in connecting interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations talent with the best companies on a project, contract-to-hire and full-time basis. For more information, including job-hunting services, candidate portfolios and TCG's blog, visit roberthalf.ca/creativegroup . Follow us at roberthalf.ca/blog, and @RobertHalf_CAN on Twitter for additional workplace news and hiring trends.

Organization Profile

The Creative Group (TCG) specializes in placing a range of highly skilled interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations professionals with a variety of firms on a project and full-time basis.